How's everybody doing? Good I hope.
As for me, I'm not feeling too well, and it's nothing to do with the flu I'm finally shrugging off. I have a few trolls leaving unpleasant comments about Rafa and/or other commenters in my blog. It's been happening more frequently. I don't like it. I don't think this site reader's will like reading it too. I'm actually quite surprised how these people stumble here and why they bother reading or leaving comments at all when it's obvious this is the place to ogle and say good things about Rafa, and most other players (*cough* Robin Soderling *cough*).
Maybe it is unnoticable, but I've worked hard in my posts not to ostracize a player out and out just because they did something I don't approve. I have great respect for Federer, and I'll even tip my hat off for Roddick (whose antics on court just grates me in the wrong way) if only because he spoke out about the Shahar Peer visa debacle. You see, even as I work to make this blog to be a place for us hardcore Rafa fans to relax and let go, I try to make it a welcoming place for fans of other players too.
And leaving comments that say "I hope Rafa will get injured and not play for six months" or "Rafa's love for Xisca is so pitiful" or actually provoking other commenters into arguments does not make this place welcoming, or fun. There's a difference in saying "I don't know how you guys can be so crazy about this guy, he picks his butt/annoys/just rubs me the wrong way" and wishing injuries to a player. If you don't like Rafa, fair enough. But why on earth are you here if you don't?
It really annoys me to wake up or come back and see hateful comments about Rafa. You guys my faithful readers know you can say almost whatever you want here - you are welcome to curse, drool, and discuss to your hearts' contents. And we have done so in the past. But you guys know to apply the manners which your mama taught you when you were little. General meanness and trolling will not be tolerated whatsoever. This is after all, my blog and a place where *I* myself go to worship Rafael Nadal. You want to have a community of your own to bash whichever player, for fuck's sake, go make your own blog and fill it with haters.
So we'll try a new thing. Everyone now has to log in to comment. It is a one time thing, very easy to register, and it might be easier to type your password then your emails everytime you comment. If it's too annoying, we'll work out something else. I am always open for suggestions. The email where you can reach me privately is located in the sidebar - please use it, but wisely.
Never mind, I've found a way to block IP's.
I guess that's it. Sorry for ranting. Remember, when you comment, try to remember respect.
xoxo,
Babz.
I'm sorry it's happening here, as well. You are doing a great job of insulating us from the asshats. There must be some cosmic maliciousness at work, because this troll business is happening all over. It's gotten so out of hand, at a MB that I frequent, that I even got a PM threatening me and my means to earn a living, from a clearly delusional paranoid nutter.
ReplyDeleteBut great job, you! We'll roll with what needs to be, as this is an awesome place, and I thank you for it.
Good post Babz!! I respect all the time and effort you put into this blog, and i'm glad that there is a place where we can come and chat up our boy! If it comes to a point where we do HAVE to register to comment, i'll be the first to sign up :)
ReplyDeleteSpammers and trollers are the scourge of the internet.
ReplyDelete"on a different note", of course.
ReplyDeleteThanks Babz, I can't believe that there are people out there that want so spoil somebody else's hard work. It's sad.
ReplyDeleteOn a different not, reading the blog above, your way of expressing yourself in writing is brilliant! I knew from reading earlier blogs, of course. But it really hit me with this serious subject.
Thanks guys.
ReplyDeleteI hate deleting comments, I'm sorry, but this is a place for fun, not to hate, and I'd close down the blog before it gets to be a place I myself do not like to be in. And heck would freeze over before *that* happens.
We snark, we poke fun, at players and each other, it's all good. But keep it clever and witty, not MEAN. I hate mean people.
I want people to enjoy the blog and have great fun everytime they come here. That's all.
On another note, you guys are the best readers any blogger can ask. *hugs*
And I thank you for coming everyday!
ReplyDeleteI'm so touched. *sniff* But I don't think there'd be registering and the likes. I just have to make sure I read all the comments that's posted, and it's no big deal.
ReplyDeleteI think, what people don't quite realize when they visit and comment on blogs is that there are real people behind the posts, and especially posts like mine, where I tell you and everyone else what I think about. I give personal opinions on my posts. Most bloggers do this on their own free time, using their own creativity to capture readers, all because we love the subject and we love doing it. This blog is quite personal, and I like it that way. People come in and hopefully they do not spit on your writings on the wall. If they do, sucks, we move on. But when they spit just for the fucks of it, that's where I get angry.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for the compliment, I'm such an average writer lol. Totally creative writing 101.
Scyeah, tell us about it!
ReplyDeleteWORD babe!
ReplyDeleteSome people must be so bored in their empty lives that they have to come to websites they're not even interested in and bash people there. HOW SAD.
I'm glad I don't have to register as I SUCK at remembering passwords - but if it would become necessary some time in order to block those morons, then I'll sign on for sure!!
Oh, I forgot to mention: BIG THANKS again Babz for creating this awesome place for us Rabid Rafanatics to ramble on about our hero - your hard work is really appreciated!
ReplyDeleteGotta love your creative and hilarious and random take on everything.
Given it actually started out as a joke in the DTL comments section, I can't believe what it has become... what a fun place and daily must-read!
*hugs*
We love ya honey! :)
Well, WORD!
ReplyDeleteBabz you do a wonderful job! :) I love coming here and reading about Rafa! YOU ROCK! Dont forget it!